Restaurant Owner Serves Free Meals for Programs Helping People Battle Addictions

ETOWAH, Tenn. — A restaurant owner in McMinn County is offering free meals for programs helping men and women battle drug and alcohol addictions.

In this week's Pay It Forward, Jessica Harthorn surprises her at the Farmhouse Restaurant.

If you're searching for a "made from scratch" broccoli and chicken casserole, you'll find it at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Etowah, but it's who Owner Diane White is serving that's helping the community one meal at a time.

In McMinn County sharing a home cooked meal means something.

Tim Amos is one of the men from Miracle Lake, a residential Christian training center for men struggling with addictions.

"Because of Christ, he has taken away all of my addictions from me. The cravings are gone. I am a new person. It's unbelievable," said Tim.

Tim says his new craving is the Farmhouse's broccoli casserole.

He looks forward to the free meal, once a week at the restaurant in Etowah.

Alex Gambrell is the Project Manager at Miracle Lake, he says Restaurant Owner Diane White has been serving the men in his ministry for several years.

Diane also serves the women in the recovery program Women at the Well.

"Some of them came out of jail or prison and they have not been anywhere, and this is a treat, she takes good care of us," said Alex.

Alex wants to take good care of Diane, surprising her in the dining room, filled with her family.

"On behalf of the guys at the Miracle Lake and for all you do for us, for all of the girls at Women at the Well, and on behalf of Newschannel9 and the McMahan Law Firm, we just want to Pay it Forward. We thank you for all that you do," surprised Alex.

Diane says she treats all of her customers like family, and wants her restaurant to feel like home.

"I've been blessed so much that it's the least I can do. To see someone be appreciative of something I do. Maybe they will pass it on," said Diane.

Until then, pass the plate...that looks delicious.

https://newschannel9.com/features/pay-it-forward/restaurant-owner-serves-free-meals-for-programs-helping-people-battle-addictions?fbclid=IwAR1hJCPA-P_jWctM6biYzmBtIVJRg-ko58tdxl-GUEGZaEMGcicgLb9JHt8